This may seem like a strange Message at Christmas time, but I assure you it is right on target. Have you ever forgotten a gift? As we remind our audience every year in the Nativity that little baby in the manger—that precious innocent child—came for one single reason to this earth, and the greatest gift ever given, was hidden away and forgotten for 33 years before it was finally unwrapped. That tiny, sweet child of Mary had to become the very essence and embodiment of our sins which God had to punish and destroy with His own wrath. So like we have never done before (even if you have heard me talk on this subject), we are going to completely focus on the physical suffering that sweet baby in the manger came to experience in order to live and die for our Salvation. As we look at these difficult facts more intently than we ever have in the past. Today, there will be no prophecies of how exact the account was lived or how it was proven 1000yrs before unmistakably.—just a look at what He experienced alone.
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Dysfunctional Families!
Now let's look deeper into Jesus' Early Years...Because... When you put the pieces together...There is actually a bit more Written in Scriptures than we realize! The average Christian sees Baby Jesus…Born into a sweet and caring family...And growing up in the best of atmospheres...Cuddled in love... In a stable and well-functioning family...After all... He is the Son of God...And God would have made sure He was in the best of situations! Until He leaves His home... And His family business...To begin His Calling... At 30yrs old! Well. Let's start with THIS Verse...When Jesus was returning to Minister in His home town during His Ministry! We have been in an unplanned series, which is probably the best kind of series, growing in what it means to really turn from this world and our sins and want Christ and His Ways more than our own life rather than say a prayer for deliverance and go on with life as usual. What it means to truly die to self and stop living for the, goals, pleasures and meaning of this world as our motivation and purpose. And what it means to truly Rise again new with Christ, seeing everyone and everything differently; rejecting our old ways of sin because we know His ways of love are better; embracing a new life in Him with a new purpose, truly trusting and walking in life differently. All of this, through Him and His Power in us—not legalistically or begrudgingly.
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September 2024
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